Ford Fairlane
The Fairlane Crown Victoria was launched by Ford in 1955 and 1956. As one of the most inventive automobiles of the 1950s, the company thought the number of sales would reach the stars. However, the figures were dismal and barely left the ground.
The fifties were a great time to shop for a new car. At last, Chevrolet had a V-8 that performed as beautifully as it looked on the road. Boasting a V-8 of its own, Plymouth’s offerings were flying out of car lots. Ford was in the second year of its release of its overhead valve V-8 and its models were showcasing many innovative styles and themes.
For auto manufacturers, it was a time of large wraparound windshields, rich colors, and extravagant two-tones. This was the perfect situation for the new Crown Victoria to become a classic representation of the times. There is no wonder why it was one of the most popular vehicles of the decade.
Two Automotive Titans Fight for Supremacy
During the mid-fifties, Ford and Chevrolet were the two major auto manufacturers of the time. Independent dealers had only two options before them- join forces in a merger or go out of business. The competition, though detrimental to smaller operations, was great for the industry. In 1955, production was slightly under eight million vehicles.
Ford and Chevy each could claim the number one position depending on whether a person was referring to the model year- a number used globally, but with more weight on U.S. sales or the calendar year- a number used to calculate sales from January to December. In 1954, Chevy took a backseat to Ford for the model year. However, Chevrolet beat Ford in sales for the calendar year. Buick could not keep pace and placed a distant third with Plymouth rounding out the top four.
Then along came the fresh Crown Victoria from Ford, the jewel of the Fairlane series. The car’s name was named was derived after Henry Ford’s estate, Fair Lane.
The Progression of the Ford Fairlane
Six different body styles were offered for the Fairlane. One of them was the Crown Victoria Skyliner which displayed a tinted transparent plastic roof. The Crown Victoria Coupe came emblazoned with stainless steel trim. Other models included traditional sedans and a Victoria hardtop coupe.
All of the models presented the stainless-steel Fairlane stripe on the side. The options for power were a straight-6 engine and a 272 cubic inch V8. Y-block was also available as an option and models using it were called the Thunderbird V-8.
The momentous success of the Fairlane in 1955 was difficult to maintain. The sales for most models dropped after that year. Some attribute the decline to Ford’s safety campaign around the same period. A few additional dollars could get a buyer the safety package that included a padded dashboard, seat belts and sun visors. 1955 was the first year Ford offered seat belts.
